Introduction
“In the Pines” is a traditional American folk song that has been covered by many artists over the years, including Bill Monroe. The song is also known as “Black Girl” or “Where Did You Sleep Last Night.” The lyrics are haunting and tell a story of love and loss. In this article, we will take a closer look at the lyrics to “In the Pines” by Bill Monroe.
Verse 1
The first verse of the song goes like this:
“In the pines, in the pines
Where the sun never shines
And you shiver when the cold wind blows”
This verse sets the tone for the rest of the song. The setting is a cold, dark place where the wind blows and the sun never shines. The narrator is feeling cold and alone.
Chorus
The chorus of the song is:
“Little girl, little girl
Where’d you sleep last night?
Not even your mother knows
In the pines, in the pines
Where the sun never shines
And you shiver when the cold wind blows”
The chorus repeats the setting of the song and adds a question about where the little girl slept last night. The narrator seems to be searching for answers.
Verse 2
The second verse goes like this:
“Her husband was a hard-working man
Just about a mile from here
His head was found in a driving wheel
But his body never was found”
This verse adds a new layer to the story. We learn that the little girl had a husband who died in a tragic accident. His head was found in a driving wheel, but his body was never found.
Chorus
The chorus repeats again, emphasizing the question of where the little girl slept last night.
Verse 3
The third verse goes like this:
“Black girl, black girl
Don’t lie to me
Where did you sleep last night?
Not even your mother knows”
In this verse, the narrator addresses the little girl directly and asks her not to lie about where she slept last night. The mystery deepens.
Chorus
The chorus repeats again, emphasizing the question of where the little girl slept last night.
Verse 4
The fourth and final verse goes like this:
“I asked her mother for you
She said she’s gone the whole night through
I asked her friends, they didn’t know
I’m gonna find her wherever she goes”
In this verse, the narrator seeks answers from the little girl’s mother and friends but comes up empty-handed. He vows to find her wherever she goes.
Conclusion
The lyrics to “In the Pines” by Bill Monroe are a haunting tale of love and loss. The mystery of where the little girl slept last night adds to the intrigue of the song. The melody and lyrics have been covered by many artists over the years and continue to captivate audiences today.
